Kit question
 

Originally I had planned on just having a F/A-18 for show, without the engine or the electronics. Here in lies the problem.

How hard/easy would it be to install the engine, whether it be a turbine or ducted fan, and all of the electronics, after the jet has been assembled?

Not sure if that came out really clear, so think of it this way. Say you took a kit from Yellow Aircraft, which is just the frame of the jet. You build all of that up, without the engine or electronics. How hard would it be to install them afterwards? Is it even possible/feasible?

Kit question
 

Hi,

Yes, it's possible, but not too practical. You can get through about 85% of the construction without it making a difference whether or not you have the other components, but then it becomes more difficult after that. The servo mounts, for example, need to be trimmed out, depending on the size of the servos you plan to use. If they're already installed, then it's tougher to trim the plates. It's also harder to drill the landing gear plates once they're inside the fuse, and it's more practical to have the gear units, instead of a template, for drilling accuracy. It can be done, though. That plane has been sold a few times to people who only intended to use them for static display, but I only know of one who later flew it. Hope this helps.

Kit question
 

Helps quite a bit. One other question.

What about the ducted fan engine? If I were to have completed all the steps except the engine, how hard would it be to install that after I had built the whole jet?

Kit question
 

I think your best bet would be to build the jet as a flying model...If your intentions are to possibly fly it down the road, this would make things much easier for you. Retro fitting a fan and motor should not pose to much of a problem!

Good luck!
Joey.

Kit question
 

So how hard is it to install the engine after everything is done? What exactly would have to be done?

Kit question
 

Beowulf,

It would be the same as if you were building it for flight. If you build the kit stock, per the instructions, you could later drop your engine/fan combo in. The instructions ask you to use the fan unit to align the inlet with the fuselage. I've done it that way, and I've installed the inlet without the fan present. When I didn't use the fan, it was close enough, but I put the fan inside the inlet, heated the back of the inlet up with a heat gun, then tightened down the fan to the fan mounts. It was good-to-go.

If you ever have designs on flying it, build it stock from the get-go. That kit is made of a polyester glass that you can see through. Once you get paint on there, it'll be harder to retro-install anything at all.